A suspect in a robbery climbed a crane that is on the campus of the Southern Methodist University and threatened to shoot police officers that were watching from the ground. A SWAT team and officers from the university police department responded to reports of a man, who is a suspect in a robbery that took place the previous night, trying to escape fellow officers as they chased him.
Officials placed the campus on lockdown as a precaution and also a shopping center that’s located close to the area was temporarily closed.
Because of Memorial day the campus was actually closed on Monday and only essential staff members were present at the time, all of whom were told to evacuate the area.
A police report read; “He entered the vehicle and as he was loading it the suspect produced a sharp object … The victim, fearing for his life, backed away. The suspect fled and struck some parked vehicles.”
Police officers have managed to communicate with the gunman via radio. He says he’s armed, but a weapon hasn’t been officially seen as yet. The suspect has been seen being sick in the cab of the crane, which is thought to be because of the immense heat inside.
